I did a little research on how you can get around the "no international adoption" laws in South Africa. I knew already that there are a couple countries who basically have contracts with South Africa so people can adopt from those countries. However, even when adopting from those countries there's quite a few steps involved. It has to be proven that there are no suitable parents to adopt within South Africa. The U.S. does not have an agreement with South Africa.
Which brings us to the only option available. You have to establish residency in SA. Which I already knew. What I didn't know was how long you have to live here. 5 years!!!!! I thought it would be a year minimum or something.
We have a family now who is doing this and what they are doing is being foster parents while they are establishing residency and then once they establish it, they will fully adopt and I believe, head back to England.
It's an idea. I had no idea it was 5 years though. The good thing is that the government itself has no fees for adoption, it all depends on what the agency you go through charges. It may be that way everywhere but I dunno.
I told Ivan, I'm just used to deciding what I want and then doing what I need to get it or do it, and with this it's not that simple, so that sucks. However, there is a way...
